Rex Errol Ricketts - University of Missouri professor emeritus

Rex Errol Ricketts Obituary It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Dr. Rex E. Ricketts on July 7, 2024, at the age of 83. Rex was a revered educator and a pillar in his community and the agriculture industry. A long-time resident of Hallsville and a cherished University of Missouri professor emeritus of animal science, Rex left an indelible mark on the world around him.

Born and raised on a dairy farm in Fair Grove, Missouri, Rex's early life was steeped in agriculture. He and his brothers were known for their prize-winning cattle at fairs and cattle shows across the region. His father, Raymond Ricketts, was a 1937 University of Missouri graduate from the agriculture department who led the use of new access to electricity to improve the Missouri dairy industry. Adding to Rex’s deep Mizzou and agricultural roots, his uncle, Ralph Ricketts, was an MU professor of agricultural engineering.

Destined for the University of Missouri, Rex's academic journey was distinguished, culminating in a doctorate in dairy husbandry. His leadership extended to various student organizations, including membership in Mizzou’s famous Roughnecks, as well as his Alpha Gamma Sigma fraternity. During his final year as an undergraduate, he was recognized as the Outstanding Senior by the MU College of Agriculture. Throughout his time at MU, Rex found himself mucking stalls at the university’s dairy barns, which had been donated by none other than J.C. Penney, who would often stop by to visit. Rex described him as “quiet, but friendly to a stall mucker.”

Rex also met his wife, Sondra (Rainey) Ricketts, at MU, who graduated with a degree in library science, and with whom he recently celebrated 60 years of marriage. His lifelong interest in Charolais cattle can be attributed to Sondra’s dad, J.E. “Sky” Rainey, who ran a purebred Charolais operation in northwest Missouri, where Sondra grew up. Rex’s two younger brothers followed him in studying agriculture at MU, and all three of his children are Mizzou graduates as well.

After a remarkable 42-year tenure teaching at the University of Missouri, Rex retired as the Director of the MU Extension Commercial Agriculture Program in 2013. His earlier career was marked by significant roles, including MU Extension State Dairy Specialist and Chair of the MU Department of Dairy Sciences. His efforts in leading dairy programs and improving the Foremost Dairy Research Center's operations were pivotal for the university and the state. In 1993, the Missouri Dairy Hall of Honors awarded Rex its Dairy Leadership Award, a testament to his profound impact on the industry.

While his academic specialty was dairy science, Rex's expertise spanned well beyond dairy, as he worked closely with swine, beef, and agronomy educators, as well as industry leaders nationwide. He was lauded for his unique ability to foster multidisciplinary collaboration and develop practical agricultural technology. His leadership in organizing livestock teams at MU exemplified his commitment to the land-grant mission and continues to inspire other university programs across the country. Rex was also a founding board member of the National Center for Beef Excellence and its national genetic evaluation program, responsible for over 30 million commercial cattle throughout the United States. He even led the installation of a quarantine process at the Lambert-St. Louis International Airport to facilitate the shipment of Missouri livestock all over the world. Whether in the classroom or in the field, Rex’s innovative and energetic approach to his work significantly advanced Missouri's agricultural sector.

Rex's impact was frequently and widely recognized. In 2019, he was honored with the Agriculture Educators Lifetime Achievement Award at the Missouri Livestock Symposium where his contributions were celebrated in the presence of esteemed colleagues and the keynote speaker, Temple Grandin.

Most recently, Rex was inducted into the American-International Charolais Association’s Hall of Fame on April 24, 2024. Having run a renowned breeding operation with his wife Sondra at their 170-acre Ricketts Charolais Ranch for many years, he served the AICA for over 22 years as chairman of the Breed Improvement Committee, where he helped revolutionize the science and methodology for producing the highest quality Charolais cattle. Fellow Missouri native and Charolais breeder, Jim Husz, attested that Rex’s influence was “almost immeasurable.”

Among many other contributions to his community outside of his work, Rex served for many years as an elder at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Columbia. He had many interests, big and small. He loved watching his children and grandchildren perform in cattle shows, theater, robotics, equestrian competitions, and sports. He was a world-class tomato grower, accomplished swing dancer, and savored the simple joy of a cold Miller High Life at the end of a long day. Not surprisingly, he and Sondra were also avid Mizzou sports fans, season ticket holders for many years.

Rex is survived by his wife, Sondra, a retired librarian, and their three children, Chad Ricketts (wife, Gabrielle Ricketts), Trina Ricketts (husband, Brett Strand), and Neysa Kleinman (husband, Kevin Kleinman), all of whom have continued the family's legacy of excellence and service. He is also survived by his brother, Kim Ricketts (wife, Linda Ricketts), as well as six grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Rex Ricketts was so much more than any one thing; he was a devoted husband, father, brother, friend, educator, visionary, mentor, and community leader whose life and work will be remembered and celebrated by all who had the privilege of knowing him. He will be deeply missed, but his legacy will continue to influence the agriculture industry, his family, and his community for generations to come.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the American Charolais Foundation https://charolaisusa.com/american-charolais-foundation.php which will be used to create a Rex E. Ricketts Memorial Scholarship for Junior Charolais members.

Friends will be received from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Thursday, July 18, 2024 at Parker-Millard Funeral Service & Crematory. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 am, Friday, July 19, 2024 at Trinity Presbyterian Church.

Arrangements are under the direction of Parker-Millard Funeral Service & Crematory, 12 East Ash Street, Columbia, MO 65203 (573) 449-4153. Condolences may be left online for the family at www.parkermillard.com.